The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-23
LEO XIII.
The Celebration Of His Jubilee.
Fiftieth Anniversary Of His Ordi-
nation as Priest.
An Event To Be Celebrated by
Catholics the World Over.
A Sketch of the Life of the Sover-
eign Pontiff.
The Distinguished Character Of His
Services to the Church.
Interesting Instances Of His Re-
markable Personal Courage.
His Rare Accomplishments as a
Poet and Scholar.
Some of the Magnificent Presents That
Have Been Sent Him in
Honor OF His Jubi-
leo.
The Distinguished Character Of His
Services to the Church.
Interesting Instances of His Re-
markable Personal Courage.
His Rare Accomplishments as a
Poet and Scholar.

The attention Of the whole christian world
will be turned TO the celebration OF the ff-
tiety anniversary of the ordination TO the
priesthood of Pope Leo NIL, which will
take place at Rome today December %, and
which will bcpaticipatcd in by the people Of
the Catholic faith throughout the world.
Pope Leo, whose jubilee is TO be celebrated,
was born March 3 1910, at Carpinetto, in
the diocese Of Anaiui. II is apopulous town
Of some 5000 inhabitants, aud hangs like an
eagles nest in cleft of Monti Lepini,
situated high above the plains. The full
name of the illustrious pOntif Is Joachim
Vincent Raphael Louis pecc lie is de.
sccndcd from family of noble sienncse
stock, its members being celebrated both
for their poctical talent and courage, and
many Of them became renowned in their
day. Ferdinand Pccc was a famous lawyer
IN the pontilicatc Of Benedict XIV. John
Baptist Pccci, vicar general Of Anaiui be-
came bishop Of Segris and a Mons. Joseph
Pccci was another famous lawyer in the
Roman courts, and attended 20 the private
law business Of Plus W. Count Dominica
Ludoyico Pc,ci served as a soldier under
Napoleon and married Anna Prospcri Buii,
the daughter Of a noble house Of the ancient
Nolscicm city Of Cora, not very far distant
from Carpinotto II was their fourth son
who now occupic, the throne Of ST. Peter.
At the death of hi mother he was then
eight year. old and. with his brother. wn
sent To school at the Jesuit college at Niturho
and here hc .ir-t showed hs intellectual tai
en's, especially in the study Of Latin and
Greek
In ls2j the famous Roman college of the
Jcsuits WIS restored, and Joachim PuCCi was
sent there a. complete his studies. There
hc won his iirt prize for excellence In prose
composition, and was allowed the honor OF
delivering the class opton at the close Of
the year, his subject being Pagan Rome es
Compared with Christian Rome At this
period hc was only fourteen years OF ago.
The same year he was awarded the first
honor iu Greek over the whole school.
IN ls3O hc was mairiCulatcd among the
theological or divinity students Of the Greg
orian university, his alma mater. In lsia
he won and received his degree Of doctor in
theology, the highest aud most important
acadcmical distinction conferred by tho
church ThrnuciOrwari hg signed himself
Giuacchimo or Joachim.
II can bear witness 10 tho fact that while
yet at NiturhO he won our admiration not
only by his quick intelligence, but still NOR
by the singular purity of his life. NJ
through his studies iu Rome he never sought
social gatherings, Conversations, diyCriuu'
or games. His workable was his world. II
was paradise TO him 10 be- plunged IN th,
study uf science. From his twelfth aud
thirteenth years upward hc wrote Latin
prose and verse with % facility and ClC
gaucc that were wonderful loo one ,o young
Having determined 90 east hi. lot with No,
secular priesthood, hc found himself at ih,
ond uf tie year lsi2 in the necessity o
ChuOsiugnct career Ul puruChi1l dulN
or thc service of the holy see, aud chose iliD
latter, entering thC college iur noble ccclc.i
nstiC-, the nursery for al who ar dcstinct
for n diplomatic or administrative curcr
under the pOntiiiCll government WhlCap
plying himself diligently 10 civil aud ccclc
siasticnl jurisprudence. hc stll pushed for
ward his studies IN theology, in tact, hi
wish was always to make himself worthy
the s.ttor 10 serve the Divine Master %
whatever branch Ofslrrgd or proinnc service
was set before him. When Gregory XVI
was succeeded hy linus VIII, Carlinnl Pace
warmly recommended ~ him young pcuyi
IN whom hc saw the promise OF q gra
career. Gregory, therefore, IN 1887, ap
pointed Joachim pccci one ~ his dOmcsip
prclates. lie was. in his twcnty-cighth year
given place among the prclntcs " the con
grcgation charged with the financial admin
istutiOns of Oh The Communcs Of the papa
| State. II was at this timc that AsintiC Chul
era had invaded Italy aud made its way &
Rome Cardinal sulla, who had nlWny
taken q deep interest in young Pccgi, WI
appointed by the Pope 10 suporintcnd al
thc cholera hospitals iH the city.
The mortality was fearful, battling M
skill ~ the physicians aud sweeping ava
pvr.ous 0f All classes. Monsgnur Pcoci, n0
being in priests orders, could not help Il
minisicring 10 The spiritual needs and com
fort Of the plague stricken. But possessing
o. be- did, the entire confidence ot the Cai
dinal. he became his right hand man, di'
playing not only great practical judgment 4
providing Tor the urgent wants " 20 man
ihousapds, but that indclaiimblo zeal AM
that fcarlossncas Of personal danger whic
came ~ much from bis own ardent pieiy a
from his natural uusClhshuCss and gCnci
o,ty n. during these awful fumme
months, Monsign0f Pocci had often wishc
that hc too, could be- privileged 90 minisio
prcsily consolation to the dying bis dcsiT
was soon 10 receive partial Ga ulhllment Z
least lie was told 70 prepare Tor the hol
orders ns soon as, with the cold weather th
plague had subsidcd. on November . of th
same year he received sub.dcnconship an
and dcaconship NJ the hands " s. Andrc'
IN the OUR iual. Aud in the Carliu.
Odcscnlchi the Pores vicar general, IN tli
little chapel Of st. Snnslas Kustka, In "a
gem like church, last day Of the same yea
iN37. Cardinal udcscllchi. in the priyal
chapel OF his residence In the yicariatc, cor
icrrcd the onlcr u priesthood on Joachii
rrrci
THIS "a the event whose fftioih annlyeEar
\ i0 be- Ccchmicd.
The following year he was appointed b
The Pope Governor 81 the province OF bcl
yc,ncia then infested by smugglcu and cy
doors II all kinds but the firm action
Mnnsirror pccci soon relieved the proyin,
OF their presence. IN lsli the Pope .rccallc
him 10 home and appointed him delegate
spOlctto. IN Dis tbirty.third he was chose